jackson



Nov. 6, 1928;" I 1,690,169

J. JACKSON EGG TURNER FOR INCUBATORS Filed Dec. 2, 192? s Sheets-Sheet 1Nov. 6, 1928.

1,690,169 J. JACKSON EGG TURNER FOR INCUBATORS Filed Dec. 1927 5SheetsSheet 3 Inventor flzzmes Jackson Attarnqy Patented Nov. 6, 1928.

1,690,169 PATENT OFFICE;

JAMES JACKSON, OF BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA.

EGG TURNER FOR moon irons Application filed December 2,1927. Serial No.237,207.

This invention relates to incubators and has for its principal object toprovide a plu-' rality of rotatably mounted egg containers,

each container having individual means for manually rotating the samefrom time to time as the incubation progresses.

An object of the invention is to provide a sectional container composedof a pair of oppositely arranged walls each of which is provided with asection of egg racks adapted to cooperate when secured in position tofirmly hold the eggs within the container for movement therewith, theends of the container being provided with detachable plates arranged forsecuring the walls of the container in assembled position, said ends ofthe plates having stub shafts extending out wardly therefrom adapted tosupport the containers for rotation;

Another object of the invention is to provide an indicator at one end ofthe containers by means of which the extent of the turning movement ofeach container may be readily determined, including means for ascertaining the direction of previous movement of containers and lock means forretaining the. containers against movement.

A still further object is to provide an egg tray of this character forincubators of a simple and practical construction, which enables theturning of the containers to proceed in a regular and uniform manner sothat all of the eggs within the incubator may be adjusted in differentpositions to an equal extent, which eliminates the turning of each eggby hand, which is inexpensive to manufacture and install in operativeposition and" otherwise well adapted for the purpose for which it isintended.

Other objects and advantages reside in the special construction andcombination of the various elements comprising the invention, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, whereinFigure 1 is a front elevational view of a row of egg containers showninposition in the incubator,

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof, Figure 3 is a side elevationalview, Figure 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view ofone of thecontainers with one side removed therefrom so as to show thec-oactingjposition of the egg rack,

igure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the inner wall of one ofthe cone Figure 8 is a similar view of one of the end attaching'platesshowingthe operating shaft extending therefrom,

Figure 9 is a similar view of the outer surface of one of the walls ofthe container illustrating the recess provided for receiving the platelocking pin,

Figure 10 is a perspective view of one of the keys provided for lockingthe container against rotation and Figure 11 is a perspective view ofthe key provided for rotating the containers.

Referring to the drawings in detail, I have shown my invention adaptedfor use in connection with an incubator of conventional construction andindicated generally at 5 having the door 6 hingedly mounted at one endthereof. Within the incubator is arranged the frame 7, the upper edge ofwhich forms a support for the stub shafts 8 and-9 extending outwardlyfrom the opposite ends of egg containers shown generally at 10.

Each of the containers is of a substantially rectangular formation,preferably arranged in a square shaped formation in cross section andcomposed of a tions 11 and 12. i

The side-members 12 each have their inner faces provided with sectionsof egg racks 13, combining with each other as shown in Figure t of thedrawings to form pockets 14 within each of which an egg may be placedand firmly retained for rotation with the container. The side sections11 at spaced intervals are providedwith countersinks 15 along theirinner faces and arranged to register wit-h the pockets 14 formed by thesections of egg racks within which the sides of the egg may be receivedto further retain the eggs against movement within the contamer andfacilitate the rotat1on of the eggs with the turning movement of thecontainer.

The ends of the containers are held together by plates 16, the innerface of each of said plates having grooves 17 formed adjacent oppositesides thereof and adapted to slidably receive the tongues 18 formed atthe opposite end. i

The edges of the plates 16 opposite from the plurality of sidesecgrooves 17 are provided with laterally 9X tending lugs 19 adapter tobe inserted in openings 20 formed in the opposite ends of the sidesections 12 of the container in a manner so as to protrude slightlyabove the outer face of the container. The outer face of the containeradjacent the protruding end of the lugs 19 is recessed as indicated 21whereby to receive locking pin 22 for insertion through an opening 23formed in t whereby to retain the slides 12 of thtainer in linedposition with res ect plates 16.

The outer faces of the plates A 'otary inc .bator. The end of jGfl insquare shaped whereby to support t 1e containers movement within t theshaft 9 is arr..- formation in cross s fitted where indicated upon whicha. key 25 by to provide for the rotat" of the container c: ried thereon.The shaf 9 .Is provided with an indicator 26 cooperating witl a dial 27displayed on a. plate Lo mounted in the incubator adjacent the do ofturning movement of instantly determined bdial with the indicator.indicator is provided witi notches 29 adapted to receive ably mounted ina support 0 jacent the edge of the indicator ing to lock the indicatorand to which the same is attached against ment; It is therefore to beunderstood that whenever the container is to be rota key 30 will bewithdrawn from intercngagement with the notch 29 after which thecontainer may be rotated in a predetermined It will be apparent from theforegoing e2;- planation that the turning of the container in a mannerto promote the hatching of the in an approved manner may progressuniformly throughout the incubator so that e ch of the will be turned atone time to an equal extent. Furthermore it is important to note tl atthe eggs should be only partially turned at regular intervals and theturning BiOVQHlGDi must continue in a uniform direction in order toproduce the best results. It will. therefore be apparent that theindicator provides r eans for as ertaining the proper di ection whicheach successive turning moven ent of con iners must be made.

It is ob ous hat the invention is susceptible of various changes andmodifications, iithout de arting from the spirit or scope of ieinvention or sacrificing any of its adntages, and l accordi claim allsuch of the device to which I am entitled. rrav thus described myinvention what I claim as new is:

tin tray for incubators comprising a plurality of tray sections,including pair o 01 positely arranged sections having egg aclrs termedthereon cooperating with each er and with the remaining sections torealn he eggs in position therein against inmovement thercbet-ween,endplates ections engageable therewith for the same in assembled position,said forming a tongue and groove con- 1 on with certain of said sidesections of r u a pair or" lugs extending laterally from opposite endsof said plate, said other 'le sections of the tray having openings ormedtherein adapted to receive said lugs .clring pins for securing the lugsin engaged position in the openings, shafts extending rom the outerfaces of said plates, an indiator carrier by one of said shafts andadapted for simultaneous rotation therewitln a. dial arranged adjacentthe indicator; notches formed about the periphery of the indicator and akey engageable with said notches adapt ed to retain the indicator andtra againstrotation.

ln testimony whereof I my signature.

JAMES JACKSON.

